Carole Orris of Corbeil is one of thousands of seniors across northeastern Ontario benefiting exercise classes offered by the North East Local Health Integration Network.

“Before attending the class, I was falling quite often,” says Orris, 71. “This class has given me the tools to stay on my feet, and have great balance and flexibility.”

For older adults, falls are often the result of health or lifestyle factors and should not be considered an everyday part of aging, NE LHIN says. In fact, one in three older adults aged 65 and older falls each year.

However, falls are preventable and being active is one of nine steps that can help prevent falls. That’s why the NE LHIN’s Stay on your Feet strategy and the region’s five public health units are helping seniors to participate in free exercise classes in order to help decrease the number of falls.

Stay on your Feet is the regional strategy that supports healthy active aging for older adults in the NE LHIN.

Did you know?

• Falling is not a normal part of aging

• Most falls are due to health or lifestyle factors

• Falls can cause injury and reduce mobility and independence

• Most falls are predictable and preventable

Nine steps to prevent a fall

• Be active

• Walk tall

• Improve your balance

• Foot care and safe footwear

• Manage your health

• Manage your medications

• Regularly check your eyesight and hearing

• Eat well for life

• Identify, remove and report hazards

In Nipissing/Timiskaming 61 classes are offered at 32 locations. To view a list of free exercise classes, visit www.nelhin.on.ca/stayonyourfeet.

For more information call Joanna Han, community health promoter at the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, joanna.han@healthunit.ca, 1-800-563-2808, or Lorna Desmarais, public health promoter at the Timiskaming health unit desmaraisl@timiskaminghu.com, 1-866-747-4305, ext. 2239